Signal Tribune Newspaper

The Long Beach Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a robbery suspect wanted in connection with a string of armed robberies to businesses occurring in the Long Beach area over the past three weeks.
Several businesses in Long Beach and one in Lakewood have been robbed since October 20, 2009. In each of the incidents, one suspect enters the business and demands cash while showing a handgun. Once he gets the cash, he exits the business and flees in a vehicle. It is unknown if the suspect is acting alone or with an accomplice. Most of the businesses targeted have been food establishments. The suspect has been described as a white male with blond hair in his early twenties or late teens.
To increase public safety, the Long Beach Police Department wants to remind businesses of the following:
• Keep a landline phone in an accessible area and call 9-1-1 if you are being robbed. If unable to speak to the operator, leave it off the hook. The police will be summoned to your location.
• Avoid working alone and keep the windows of your business clear of advertising material and decorations, which can screen an intruder from outside view.
• Be sure security cameras are in good working order and maintained regularly. Consider upgrading to a digital system, and train employees to access security footage. This enables detectives to get the evidence sooner, which can greatly assist in apprehending the suspect.

Those with any information regarding these crimes are asked to contact Robbery Detective Fermin Gonzalez at (562) 570-7464.